Be a Salt or get a Battery?

[neosoul]

After cleaning up my '85 CP19 this past week I realized I am missing a battery. All I have is the bottom part of a black battery box in the starboard cockpit locker and it is not mounted. Since none of my previous boats – all day sailors - had any electric I am not sure what type of battery I need or the best way to secure it on this boat. I can read a schematic fairly well and have done some wiring in my house and garage, but wiring on a boat is new to me and I don't want to assume how I would do things in my house should be the same way I do it on my boat.

So for this reason I am not sure if I want put the boat in the water first and work on this at my mooring or take care of any electrical issues first. What do you think?
Neo

[capt_nemo]

n e o s o u l,

If you are not sure about the condition of mast mounted lights and any other mast wiring it would be wise to check it out before raising it and leaving the boat on a mooring. Any problems will be much easier to address with the mast down.

Replacing the battery and checking out the operation of the automatic bilge pump would seem prudent BEFORE leaving the boat on a mooring.

Otherwise, you could replace the battery and deal with any issues with the boat in the water.

By the way, the battery should be a good quality DEEP CYCLE type and it should be well secured in its position on the boat.

capt_nemo

[Elk River]

I recently purchased a 1986 19/2 that had a rat's nest of wiring that previous owners had installed.  I removed everything but the original factory wiring.  Boat wiring is fairly simple. I ran a line over for a radio and double power port.  I suggest getting a new battery box, sized to whatever battery you get, and also getting a tie-down strap for it.  I have a small solar charger that was on the boat when I purchased it.  As previously mentioned, get a deep cycle battery.  I had do get new nav. lights as there weren't any on the boat, so purchased LED ones.  Expensive, but use 1/10 the power of regular lights.  I have, and will install soon, an LED cabin light (white & red).  I have an original manual with the wiring diagram.  I could photo-copy whatever you might need and mail it to you if I get an address.  I also have one of those Davis Mega Lights, that plug into a power port, that I will use as an anchor light.  Again, LED with minimal power drain.   Elk River

[neosoul]

n e o s o u l,

If you are not sure about the condition of mast mounted lights and any other mast wiring it would be wise to check it out before raising it and leaving the boat on a mooring. Any problems will be much easier to address with the mast down.

Replacing the battery and checking out the operation of the automatic bilge pump would seem prudent BEFORE leaving the boat on a mooring.

Otherwise, you could replace the battery and deal with any issues with the boat in the water.

By the way, the battery should be a good quality DEEP CYCLE type and it should be well secured in its position on the boat.

capt_nemo

capt_nemo,
Thanks for all the advice. I followed your suggestion and purchased a EverStart 27DC Marine Battery from Walmart for $80 last night.(very heavy) I won't be able to connect it until after work on Monday. Too many graduation parties these next few weekends and 5 weddings this summer are really cutting into our sailing time. I love being part of a big family, but sometimes you just have no down-time on the weekends to do some of the things you enjoy or want to do.
Neo

[neosoul]

I recently purchased a 1986 19/2 that had a rat's nest of wiring that previous owners had installed.  I removed everything but the original factory wiring.  Boat wiring is fairly simple. I ran a line over for a radio and double power port.  I suggest getting a new battery box, sized to whatever battery you get, and also getting a tie-down strap for it.  I have a small solar charger that was on the boat when I purchased it.  As previously mentioned, get a deep cycle battery.  I had do get new nav. lights as there weren't any on the boat, so purchased LED ones.  Expensive, but use 1/10 the power of regular lights.  I have, and will install soon, an LED cabin light (white & red).  I have an original manual with the wiring diagram.  I could photo-copy whatever you might need and mail it to you if I get an address.  I also have one of those Davis Mega Lights, that plug into a power port, that I will use as an anchor light.  Again, LED with minimal power drain.   Elk River

Elk River,
Thanks for the offer to help!
I still need to get  battery box/tray and a tie-down strap for it. I am really considering a small solar charger like the one you mentioned. What type is it and how hard is it to wire it correctly? Also, any lights I find that need to be replaced will be replaced with LEDs.  I'd love to get a copy of the wiring diagram.  If you could photo-copy this for me I'd be greatly appreciative. I will PM my address to you.
Thanks! Neo